Hunt-Tyrrell driving on

Willie Hunt-Tyrrell has reached the last 32 of the World Long-Driving Championship at the first attempt.

In an original field of 96, the five-handicap member of Arklow GC recorded a best-drive of 373 yards to be placed fourth overall, after the preliminary stages at Palms GC, Mesquite, Nevada.

His progress has meant forfeiting his amateur status, but Hunt-Tyrrell now has his sights set on a top-prize of $80,000 tomorrow and considerably more in product endorsements.

"I'm happy with how I've performed so far and I think I can hit it even longer," he said yesterday.

Indicative of the Irishman's status in an elite field of long-hitters is that he has already out-driven the defending champion, Stockholm's Victor Johansson, who had to settle for 366 in qualifying.

In Wednesday's qualifying, he went through three rounds, hitting six balls into a grid 40 yards wide. In the first round, five of the six shots were on target with a best of 369 yards.

Then came an unnerving second round in which he got only one shot of 353 yards into the grid. From there, however, he went on to get four on target in the final round, winning it with a best effort of 373.

The remaining rounds will all be played tomorrow and he is guaranteed $2,000 if he gets through to the last 16.